Ellicott City nonprofit promotes safety from mass shootings

National Center for Citizen Safety to host 5K on Aug. 30

It seems that mass shooting incidents are becoming more prevalent around the country. And one new local organization wants to make sure that you know how to get out safely if you find yourself in that situation.

It seems that mass shooting incidents are becoming more prevalent around the country.And one new local organization wants to make sure that you know how to get out safely if you find yourself in that situation.Locally, that was the case in January 2014 when a gunman opened fire inside The Mall in Columbia and killed two employees at the Zumiez store. It was moments like that and others like it around the country that led Lois Blevins to establish the Ellicott City-based National Center for Citizen Safety."As each of these active shootings become more prevalent, and as you know, it's an epidemic, we have to really focus on public awareness," Blevins said.Blevins said her group will eventually focus on events to bring survivors of these incidents together. But they also want to teach people what to do in an active shooter situation.Blevins said, if possible, you need to run away from the shooter and get help. If you can't run, try to hide where the shooter can't see you like behind a door or a large object. And if danger is imminent, Blevins said you should fight with whatever you can get your hands on to stop the shooter."We want you to be able to defend yourselves and do the right thing and think about critically 'Should I run? Should I hide? Should I fight?'"Additionally, Blevins is working with state lawmakers to get legislation passed to mandate that every Maryland business should conduct lockdown and shelter in place drills.As a fundraiser, the National Center for Citizen Safety is holding a 5K race Aug. 30 in Columbia."We're going to have a phenomenal agenda for the race," Blevins said. "(We will have) a wonderful ceremony with three major survivors: one from the Oklahoma City bombing, one from Sandy Hook and one from the Boston Marathon."For more information about the center and the upcoming 5K, click here.National Center for Citizen Safety

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. —

It seems that mass shooting incidents are becoming more prevalent around the country.

And one new local organization wants to make sure that you know how to get out safely if you find yourself in that situation.

"As each of these active shootings become more prevalent, and as you know, it's an epidemic, we have to really focus on public awareness," Blevins said.

Blevins said her group will eventually focus on events to bring survivors of these incidents together. But they also want to teach people what to do in an active shooter situation.

Blevins said, if possible, you need to run away from the shooter and get help. If you can't run, try to hide where the shooter can't see you like behind a door or a large object. And if danger is imminent, Blevins said you should fight with whatever you can get your hands on to stop the shooter.

"We want you to be able to defend yourselves and do the right thing and think about critically 'Should I run? Should I hide? Should I fight?'"

Additionally, Blevins is working with state lawmakers to get legislation passed to mandate that every Maryland business should conduct lockdown and shelter in place drills.

As a fundraiser, the National Center for Citizen Safety is holding a 5K race Aug. 30 in Columbia.

"We're going to have a phenomenal agenda for the race," Blevins said. "(We will have) a wonderful ceremony with three major survivors: one from the Oklahoma City bombing, one from Sandy Hook and one from the Boston Marathon."

For more information about the center and the upcoming 5K, click here.